Saturday, November 24, 2012

I've written a post for the Four Strong Women Blog and as usual - had about five comments - all from friends. Thank you friends! It does make me wonder whether blogging is worth the effort. I know some people will read and not comment - that's fine. I do the same but I wish there was a little box to tick to say 'I liked it'. Then at least I'd feel making the effort was worth it.
I try hard to comment on other people's posts where I can because I know the whole marketing yourself isn't easy. Maybe I should just come out with it and say - well I'm actually an eight foot creature from the planet Zog, sent here to infiltrate your erotic romance community and report back to my superiors. There - I'm out. I've done it. Now I have to think of something else to blog about.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Always driving through life along the straight and narrow, Hollie wants a break from staying within the lines. She hopes a hookup at 1NightStand with a tall fair-haired guy who’s organized and sensible, likes small-breasted brunettes, and can deal with any crisis life throws at him, will jar her from the mundane path she’s been on.

Except what seemed like the perfect plan when she set off, turns into the worst idea ever as the snow falls thickly. Slipping and sliding, her arms numb from clenching the wheel, she becomes frantic to avoid what’s looming in front of her.

Dark-haired Nick is on his way to a party with hopes of connecting with a busty blonde—assuming he’s even on the right road and can dig himself out of a heap of snow before he freezes solid. Too bad he never plans ahead, no coat and no shovel in the car, and soon he won’t even see a road at all, let alone any vehicle barrelling down it.

When two hearts get lost in a snowstorm of what they think they want, can Madame Eve's magic put them back on the right track?

An ecopy of my 1NS story 'On the Right Track' is free to a lucky commentator. For more chances to win copies of the 1NS series - please check out the links below.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

I used to think I wasn’t very good at
writing short stories. Whatever I started just ended up long no matter what I’d
intended, but I’ve really enjoyed writing my two 1NS – One Night Stand –
stories and the few other shorts over the years. In a way, a restricted word length meant I had no choice but to
conform. The difficulty that presents to a writer whose natural habitat is
100,000 word novels is not inconsiderable.

How do you make characters come alive in so
few pages? How do you give them a story that’s not just sex – though sex plays
a large part? Is there room to give a voice to all the players, especially in a
ménage?

Well ….answers as follows.

If the characters don’t sing to the reader
– I’ve failed – so I have to give them as much personality as I can and humor
helps.

I write stories with proper plots as well
as the sex – yes, the plot isn’t complex or all encompassing but it’s there. Even a short story has to go somewhere.

Make room for three voices if you need to.
I have to know what the guys are thinking too. I don’t mind single voice
stories but I prefer to hear from everyone. But if the word length is really restrictive - ie 3,000 words - best to stick to one voice. I've just written one of this length from the woman's POV only and it was a first for me!

But the one thing that makes the short story work? A lesson learned, a message given, a sweet conclusion and no – it’s not
going to be a one night stand regardless of the series theme – my characters
are just starting their journey together whether it was 3,000 words or 100,000.
I’ve just given them a push.

Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpower, treason and plot
We see no reason why
Gunpower treason
Should ever be forgot

An old rhyme that I suspect not many remember now about this day in our history when we celebrate bonfire night - the night Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the houses of parliament - and failed. When I was a kid we made 'guys' - full sized figures dressed in old clothes to put on the top of the bonfire and then we set fire to it. How lovely! Not!!
But the fireworks - ah - they're great. When I was little we had a box of Standard fireworks that each lasted about three seconds before they fizzled out, and rockets that barely made it into the air before they spluttered to nothing. And we still oohed and aahed and loved them.
Nowadays the fireworks are in a different league. Super celestial displays in multi colors and a variety of patterns that last ages. And cost a fortune.

We had sparklers too that took so long to light, yours had gone out by the time you'd lit everyone else's. Ah happy days.
Sorry to all the pets out there. I know dogs hate it and I do wish the fireworks were only allowed on one or two nights between certain times and then at least pet owners would know when to keep their animals indoors.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

I was lucky enough to critique this novel by Gerry! He's a very talented writer and if you like quirky stories, this is the one to read. He's funny, irreverent and different - as are his characters. I can so see this as a movie. Anyone listening?

Dropcloth Angels - by Gerald Johnston

He came,

He sawed,

He ate…

All that are left behind of the victims are their heads, placed together with the painted angels, rendered in the victim’s own blood. The acts, captured on video, are sent elsewhere… Now Zoe Beaupre, a hooker with an imaginary monkey and sister of the serial killer’s latest conquest, must band together with a mismatched posse of saviors in order to bring him down. Little does Zoe know, but the deeper into the madman’s world they trek, more and more is revealed about snuff films…and Gideon, the puppet master who will stop at nothing to see her dead.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Krista D. Ball's book - What Kings Ate and Wizards drank - is out today. It has the most fabulous cover and I am so jealous.

Equal parts writer’s guide, comedy, and historical cookbook, fantasy author Krista D. Ball takes readers on a journey into the depths of epic fantasy’s obsession with rabbit stew and teaches them how to catch the blasted creatures, how to move armies across enemy territories without anyone starving to death, and what a medieval pantry should look like when your heroine is seducing the hero.

Learn how long to cook a salted cow tongue, how best to serve salt fish, what a “brewis” is (hint: it isn’t beer), how an airship captain would make breakfast, how to preserve just about anything, and why those dairy maids all have ample hips.

What Kings Ate will give writers of historical and fantastical genres the tools to create new conflicts in their stories, as well as add authenticity to their worlds, all the while giving food history lovers a taste of the past with original recipes and historical notes.

Krista was born and raised in Deer Lake, Newfoundland, where she learned how to use a chainsaw, chop wood,and make raspberry jam. After obtaining a B.A. in British History from Mount Allison University, Krista moved to Edmonton, AB where she currently lives. Somehow, she’s picked up an engineer, two kids, six cats, and a very understanding corgi off ebay. Her credit card has been since taken away. Like any good writer, Krista has had an eclectic array of jobs throughout her life, including strawberry picker, pub bathroom cleaner, oil spill cleaner upper and soup-kitchen coordinator. You can find her causing trouble at http://kristadball.com

With or without him

Perfect Trouble

About Me

Barbara Elsborg lives in West Yorkshire in the north of England. She always wanted to be a spy, but having confessed that to everyone without them even resorting to torture, she decided it was not for her. Vulcanology scorched her feet. A morbid fear of sharks put paid to marine biology. So instead, she spent several years successfully selling cyanide. After dragging up two rotten, ungrateful children and frustrating her sexy, devoted, wonderful husband (who can now stop twisting her arm) she finally has time to conduct an affair with an electrifying plugged-in male, her laptop.
Her books feature quirky heroines and bad boys, and she hopes they are much fun to read as they were to write.